Saturday, September 29, 2012

When I was ready to get my first new car in 2001, I seriously looked into the Lincoln LS V6 (it came with a manual, the V8 only came with the automatic). Based on my brief test drive on Highway 24, it was actually kind of fun. But at 26, I was just not ready to buy a Lincoln.

I turned off the Captcha function this week in order to make it easier for you, my dear readers, to post comments. But now, I am flooded with spam comments advertising everything from Filipino mud flaps to Australian light-duty truck dealerships. So I am turning the function back on. I am sorry.

For those of you with blogs, what is the most effective way of blocking spam comments (while at the same time making your reader experience relatively drama-free)?

Friday, September 28, 2012

Well, debating the morality of killing a killer hasn't worked. Neither has the fact that some of those executed might be too young, too mentally challenged, or too innocent. So let's just argue it's a waste of taxpayer money. M'kay?

Right now, 42% of Californians want to abolish the death penalty. 45% want to keep it. 13% are undecided.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Obama won in 2008 in large part due to research of arcane election rules and his Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. Our 50 states have 50 different sets of rules on elections. The state of Iowa has early voting and it starts today.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Well, we're quickly approaching my first year anniversary with my Phaeton. I'll be doing a more comprehensive post for Hooniverse in early November. But here are a few thoughts and an itemization.

First, buying used is great. Mine sold new for about $80,000, including tax and registration. I paid $23,000 (plus $2,146 sales/use tax) for a model with just 37,000 pampered miles on it. My liability insurance premium increased by less than $20 a year when I switched from the 2004 Acura TSX to the 2005 Phaeton. Annual registration costs are also reasonable. I just have to pay the California DMV $214 this year.

The cost of fuel, on the other hand, has been breathtaking. I like to drive my cars until the low fuel light is on, and beyond, so there is almost nothing in the 90 liter (23.66 gallon) fuel tank when I get to the petrol station. When prices almost reached $5 a gallon earlier this year, I was paying more than $100 to fill my tank. Problem is, many gas pumps will only let you use a credit card to buy $75 worth of fuel at a time (to prevent credit card theft/fraud).

I get about 14-16 miles per gallon in city driving, and low 20s on the highway.

Here are my other costs. Note that I've put about 13,000 miles on the car since last November.

November: Windshield repair (Safelite) $155.32 (this was overpriced, but I was in Vegas and I was in a bind; I got $50 reimbursed through my AAA Platinum membership)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Before this weekend, I knew nothing about the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) series. So if any of you (Europeans) can shed light on this, please share!

For the first time, WTCC came to America. Specifically, Sonoma.

Here's a shocker: The Chevy Cruze is kicking ass. They are the equivalent of F1's Red Bull in the last few years. For financial reasons, Chevy is leaving the sport at the end of this season. Apparently, winning on Sundays did not translate to sales on Mondays in Europa.

There was a concurrent Maserati Granturismo spec series this weekend. Here is the Safety Car.

The ticket prices were very reasonable ($26 for admission, free parking, $10 for paddock pass). Everyone was friendly and it was not too crowded.

These WTCC cars are pretty cool. I was hoping to see the Lada, but I don't think it made it to America.

Here is Yvan Muller, who is a three-time champion and current points co-leader. My companion Bob was fearless and struck up a nice conversation with the guy. Did I mention everyone-- the crew, the drivers, the grid girls-- were all very friendly?

There was a CHP display at the track so I took these two shots of the Crown Vic's interior.

These Audis can be driven on the track on off-days. I want the RS5 so badly.

There was also a little known series called USTCC. It's very grassroots and there were quite a few interesting cars.

A lot of the WTCC equipment came in these shipping containers. According to the bill of lading sticker on the exterior, this is headed to Suzuka, the next race.

This fun group came from Hungary. Their guy finished 3rd and 2nd in the two races today. They were happy. Chevy won both races.

This was the raddest car in the parking lot.

Wrecked BMW.

This Synchro van was parked next to the Popemobile.

I ended the day by dropping off Bob. He showed me his prized possession, this Chevelle. He's a Chevy guy.

With a truce in effect between the two largest gangs in El Salvador and peace talks with FARC in Colombia, this might be the window I have been waiting for to travel through Central America by bus.

I will pick up where I left off on my last trip, in Guatemala City. I will do a quick trip to see the Mayan ruins of Tikal and leave Guatemala City on a Tica bus. Here is the itinerary from Tica's website. The trip one-way will cost $128, excluding hotels.

Guatemala to El Salvador: Leaves at 5:30 a.m., arrives in San Salvador at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stay overnight in hotel.

El Salvador to Nicaragua: Leaves at 5 a.m. and arrives in Managua at 5 p.m. Stay overnight in hotel.

Nicaragua to Costa Rica: Leaves at 6 a.m. and arrives in San Jose at 4p.m.

Costa Rica to Panama: Leaves at 11 p.m. (same day) and arrives in Panama City at 4 p.m. the following day.

Japan, China, and Taiwan are all claiming rights to these tiny islands. Japan has control of them but the emerging Chinese giant wants to flex its muscles (and settle some scores from World War II). China sent six ships to patrol the islands this week.

Tensions in China are rising. Japanese citizens have been roughed up; Japanese stores looted; and Japanese cars destroyed. Thousands protested in over a dozen cities.